Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Why make another of what everyone else is making - and hope it'll sell? Wouldn't it be smarter to offer something no one else is making instead? That would probably sell. This new Hyundai Tucson is another crossover SUV - but it's not "just another" crossover SUV.
What they've done is bridge the Size Gap between the emerging class of subcompact crossovers like the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 - and the existing class of compact crossovers (of which there are probably too many) like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, the Mazda CX-5 and even Hyundai's own Sante Fe Sport.
Those models bicker with one another over minor styling and features differences, the warranty coverage and so on. But - for the most part - they're the same things except for the badge in the grille and the shape of their headlights and taillights. So, what makes the Tucson any different?
It's bigger than a pocket-sized crossover like the HR-V. But not as big as something in the CR-V's class. It also offers more engine (175 turbocharged hp) than subcompacts like the HR-V (141 hp) and CX-3 (146 hp).
It also straddles the pricing gap between the subcompacts and the compacts - costing a bit more than the former and a bit less than the latter. Save a few bucks, get more power/performance, a bit more room (especially cargo room) but keep it small and cheap. That's the idea here.
WHAT IT IS
The Tucson is Hyundai's entry-level crossover SUV. It's a bit smaller - and has a slightly lower price - than the Sante Fe Sport and offers a bit more cargo room than subcompacts like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 while delivering slightly less cargo capacity but about the same passenger space as larger (compact) crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
It is also among the few crossovers in its class (and beyond) that offers a seven-speed automated manual transmission. Most crossovers come with either continuously variable (CVT) automatics or conventional (hydraulic) automatics. You can also get it with a fairly powerful (for the class/price) turbocharged engine.
Base price is$22,700 for a FWD SE trim with a 2.0 liter (not turbocharged) engine and conventional six-speed automatic. With AWD, an SE 2.0 Tucson lists for $24,700.
The Eco trim - which comes with the new 1.6 liter turbo engine and the also-new seven-speed automated manual transmission - lists for $24,150 with FWD (slightly less expensive than the AWD but 2.0-equipped SE) and $25,550 with AWD.
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